FM Advises Neighbors Not to Concern about Iran-G5+1 Talks
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran's foreign minister said Tehran attaches great importance to its relations with neighboring countries and urged them not to fall for the traps of the Zionist regime and its supporters in the US who survive on tension and crisis.
Mohammad Javad Zarif made the remarks in a televised interview on Monday, November 11.
Zarif further noted that neighboring countries have a special priority in Iran’s foreign policy, and the Islamic Republic attaches great significance to its neighbors’ interests.
“Iran, as a great and powerful country in the region, considers the interests of its neighbors, and we believe that the insecurity of our neighbors would be our own insecurity,” the minister added.
Iran's top diplomat also referred to the latest round of talks between Iran and the G5+1 in Geneva, saying they were merely meant to resolve Tehran’s nuclear case, advising littoral Arab states of the Persian Gulf not to mistake it with an attempt for rapprochement between Tehran and Washington.
He said neighboring countries have a special priority in Iran’s foreign policy, and the Islamic Republic attaches great significance to its neighbors’ interests.
“The Zionist regime (of Israel) and its supporters in the United States survive on tension and crisis. Therefore, they do not want the regional problems to be solved and that is why they are worried,” Zarif said.
He also said the angry remarks by Israel and its American supporters show that they are not happy about the considerable progress that was achieved during the latest round of talks in Geneva.
Also, in an earlier interview with Al Alam Arabic news network Zarif said “None of our moves are against our neighbors, which means we find our own security in the security of our neighbors,” reacting to some Arab countries’ concerns about possible negative impacts of Iran’s nuclear talks with the six world powers.
“I do not know why some regional countries feel worried about Iran's move to resolve some of its problems. No doubt, solving these problems is in the interests of all sides, including our neighbors,” he observed.
Zarif emphasized that Iran is not competing with any side, but is a major regional country and its neighbors and relations with them are of great importance for it.
The Islamic Republic and the G5+1 (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany) concluded three days of detailed negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program in Switzerland on November 10.
Failing to agree on a deal, the sides have agreed to resume talks on November 20, again in Geneva.
The marathon round of international talks in Geneva fell short of a widely anticipated deal early Sunday after French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius objected, saying the terms of a preliminary accord were too easy on Tehran.
Fabius broke an informal rule of the six-nation diplomatic group that has been negotiating with the Iranians by going public with his criticism of the preliminary deal, which was aimed at opening the way for comprehensive negotiations over the nuclear program.
